Inner West Council - Ashfield

The following relates to tree removals that require approvals. Check tree works that don't need approval here.

You can apply to remove a tree in two ways:

1. Tree Works Permit application

Tree permit applications are required for when the property is not a heritage item or located in a Heritage Conservation Area (HCA).

Use the application to prune/remove trees on private land form (PDF 181.3KB) for these cases.

Council may require an arborist report to assist in making a determination.

Please see here for application fees and charges.

2. Development Application

If the tree on your property is a heritage item or located in a Heritage Conservation Area (HCA):

• Check the Heritage Conservation Areas to see if your property is located within a HCA.
• Complete a Development Application Form and submit to your local Customer Service Centre.

Once your application is received a council officer will contact you to arrange a site inspection.

Council will require an arborist report with any development application for removal. Council’s minimum requirements for the different types of arborist reports are provided in the Ashfield Development Control Plan 2016.

If you are seeking permission to prune or remove a neighbour's tree, Council will not process any application without the appropriate owner's consent.

Please see here for application fees and charges.

Contact an arborist

Council does not undertake the pruning or removal of trees on private property. This work is best undertaken by a qualified arborist. It is important to hire appropriately qualified people to carry out tree works.

Before employing an Arborist, check that they are insured and carry Australian Qualifying Framework (AQF) certification.

Consulting arborists (Consultant)

Consulting arborists have the training and experience to provide expert assessments on the health and condition of trees.

If you need specialist advice concerning your tree(s) or require an arborist report, as per Council's conditions, you will need to engage a consulting arborist with AQF Level 5 or equivalent in horticulture (arboriculture). Council's minimum requirements for the different types of arborist reports are provided in the fact sheets above.

For more details on consulting arborists please contact the following associations:

Institute of Australian Consulting Arboriculturalists

• Phone: 1300 853 288
• Website: www.iaca.org.au

Arboriculture Australia

• Phone: 1300 664 374
• Website: www.arboriculture.org.au

Working arborist (trade)

Working or practicing arborists are trade qualified to care for trees, and are generally engaged to provide pruning and/or removal works.

Once you have obtained permission to undertake tree works, look for an arborist who has AQF Level 3 qualification or equivalent in Horticulture (Arboriculture). This ensures that the work is done in accordance with the Australian Standards.

An arborist who has a minimum AQF Level 4 qualification should be engaged to assess root pruning requirements.

For more details on working arborists please contact the following associations:

Tree Contractors Association Australia

• Phone: 1300 660 379
• Website: Tree Contractors Association Australia website

Safe Work NSW

• Phone: 13 10 50
• Website: Safe Work NSW website

Inner West Council – Leichhardt

The following relates to tree removals that require approvals. Check tree works that don't need approval here.

Council's DCP relating to tree removals can be found here:

Leichhardt DCP 2013 (PDF 402.1KB)

The Trees Technical Manual (PDF 355.9KB) provides additional information on how trees on private land are managed.

You can apply to remove a tree in three ways:

1. Minor Works Request

The removal of a dying or dead tree or a tree that is a risk to human life or property may be carried out in the following circumstances:

1. The tree is located on the applicant’s property;
2. The dead or dying tree is not required as the habitat of native fauna;
3. The minor works form is accompanied by evidence including photographs, a report from a suitably qualified arborist (minimum qualification AQF level 3 Arboriculture) and any other necessary expert that the tree is dead or dying; removal of the tree is the only reasonable option to avoid an immediate threat of injury to human life or property; and
4. Council has notified the applicant that it is satisfied that the tree is dying, dead, not required as the habitat for native fauna or is a risk to human life or property.

Canopy pruning of a prescribed tree other than a tree that is or forms part of a Heritage Item or is within a Heritage Conservation Area, may be carried out not less than 5 working days after the lodgement of a minor works form in the following circumstances:

1. The tree is growing on the applicants’ property; and
2. It is proposed to prune more than 10% but less than 20% of the canopy; and
3. All pruning will comply with AS 4373-2007 Pruning of Amenity Trees; and
4. The pruning will be undertaken by a suitably qualified person (minimum qualification AQF level 3 Arboriculture); and
5. Canopy pruning of the tree has not been undertaken within the previous 24 months

Use the tree minor works permit application (PDF 190.5KB) for the cases above.

All Minor Works Requests have no fee.

2. Tree Permit Application

Tree permit applications are required for tree removals (other than exempt tree species on a heritage listed property).

Tree permit applications are also required for pruning less than 10% of the canopy of a tree located within the grounds of a property listed as an Item of Environmental Heritage under the Leichhardt Local Environmental Plan 2013.

Use the application to prune/remove trees on private land form (PDF 181.3KB) for these cases.

Please see here for application fees and charges.

3. Development Application

For trees located within Heritage Conservation Areas or within the grounds of a property listed as an Item of Environmental Heritage under the Leichhardt Local Environmental Plan 2013 removal is permissible where the tree is dead or dying or subject to a "Minor Works Request".

All other works such as tree removal or canopy pruning >10% of canopy (in excess of minor works) require the submission of a development application.

Find out how to make a development application

Please see here for application fees and charges.

Contact an arborist

Council does not undertake the pruning or removal of trees on private property. This work is best undertaken by a qualified arborist. It is important to hire appropriately qualified people to carry out tree works.

Before employing an arborist, check that they are insured and carry Australian Qualifying Framework (AQF) certification.

Consulting arborists (Consultant)

Consulting arborists have the training and experience to provide expert assessments on the health and condition of trees.

If you need specialist advice concerning your tree/s or require an Arborist Report, as per Council’s conditions, you will need to engage a consulting arborist with AQF Level 5 or equivalent in horticulture (arboriculture).  Council's minimum requirements for the different types of arborist reports are provided in the fact sheets above.

For more details on consulting arborists please contact the following associations:

Institute of Australian Consulting Arboriculturalists

• Phone: 1300 853 288
• Website: www.iaca.org.au

Arboriculture Australia

• Phone: 1300 664 374
• Website: www.arboriculture.org.au

Working arborist (trade)

Working or practiing arborists are trade qualified to care for trees, and are generally engaged to provide pruning and/or removal works.

Once you have obtained permission to undertake tree works, look for an arborist who has AQF Level 3 qualification or equivalent in Horticulture (Arboriculture). This ensures that the work is done in accordance with the Australian Standards.

An arborist who has a minimum AQF Level 4 qualification should be engaged to assess root pruning requirements.

For more details on working arborists please contact the following associations:

Tree Contractors Association Australia

• Phone: 1300 660 379
• Website: Tree Contractors Association Australia website

Safe Work NSW

• Phone: 13 10 50
• Website: Safe Work NSW website